After writing a couple weeks ago about a bar inspired by speak-easies, it seemed only proper to head to the bar in Los Gatos named for one of the more colorful members of the temperance movement. Of course, that’s Carry Nation’s, which occupies a century-old building on North Santa Cruz Avenue.

The place: A friend reminded me the bar was originally opened in the 1970s by Gary Dahl, “inventor” of the Pet Rock, and that’s a pedigree of which any watering hole could be proud.

The trappings of the bar are like a mishmash of times past. The beautiful, ornate windows come right from the Victorian era, the small tables inside have solid, antique bases, the bar and many of the tabletops are 1980s-style black granite. There are three modern flat-screen TVs plus a TV that projects onto a big pull-down movie screen (which itself screams of the 1970s). There are matchbooks at the bar emblazoned with its name and phone number, hearkening back to the days when smoking inside was the norm. Even the martini glasses have crooked stems, which were something of a fad in the past decade.

Throughout the bar are images of its namesake, who rallied against the demon rum with hatchet in hand. The hatchet-shaped window in the bar door is a particularly nice touch.

On one wall near the back, there’s a display with plaques for “house rounds” that people have bought to commemorate a birthday or other occasion. There are several devoted to Mark Achilli, the Los Gatos bar owner who was killed a couple years back.

Killer drinks: As we’ve noted before, some bars have a dazzling drink menu, and others just dazzle you by making everyday drinks. Carry Nation’s is in the latter category.

Most patrons stick to mixed drinks (“We serve a lot of hard alcohol,” one bartender said) and beers, which range from Pabst Blue Ribbon to Guinness. The bartenders pour with a heavy hand, appropriate at a bar with the motto, “Temperance in Moderation.” But don’t be afraid to ask for what you want. We spied one patron ordering a split of Korbel sparkling wine, and the Maker’s Mark Manhattan we ordered was just right — and a bargain at $8.

Killer food: Carry Nation’s doesn’t have a kitchen, but there’s plenty of food around. In addition to bar mix and chips (plus the occasional happy hour spread of chicken wings and the like), you can bring in food from outside without much fuss. If you order Mexican food from Andalé next door, they’ll give a pound on the common wall to let you know when you’re food is ready to pick up.

On one visit, three different groups had pizzas from Pizza My Heart, which is just across the street.

The people: Any notions of Los Gatos being a snooty, white-bread town are dispelled by the clientele at Carry Nation’s. Here you’ll find young and old of various ethnicities, and you’re more likely to see a tattoo than a tie. The happy hour crowd tends to be older, with younger barhoppers filtering in after 7 p.m., and it can get packed at night.

It’s certainly more of a place to hang out with friends than alone, and we didn’t see any groups of fewer than two people. Even people who came in alone were bound to already know someone in the bar.

The bathrooms: When the need arises, you’ll need to navigate some stairs beneath the big-screen TV to the bathrooms, so watch your step. They’re clean and well-maintained, though the black marble and granite tile and countertops are a tip off that they haven’t been redecorated in some time.

The parking: There’s a parking lot right behind Carry Nation’s, but it’s often filled. You can also find street parking, but your best bet is to find one of the larger lots downtown and hoof it. Be aware that some days — like Wednesdays in the summer, when the Jazz in the Plazz music series takes place — are tougher than others.

Sal Pizarro has written the Around Town column for The Mercury News since 2005. His column covers the people and events surrounding the cultural scene in Silicon Valley. In addition, he writes Cocktail Chronicles, a feature column on Silicon Valley bars and nightclubs.

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